Willamette Rallies from 14-Point Deficit to Defeat Caltech, 79-73

By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University rallied from a 14-point deficit in the second half to defeat California Institute of Technology, 79-73, at Cone Field House on Saturday, Nov. 22. The Bearcats improved to 1-2 on the season. Caltech dropped to 0-3.

Caltech held a 52-38 advantage after Kc Emezie scored on a layup with 14:05 left in the game. Willamette eventually took its first lead of the second half on a jumper by Alex Brown (Sr., F, Happy Valley, OR/Clackamas HS) with 2:32 remaining. The Bearcats led the rest of the way.

Brandon Luedtke (Jr., F, Meridian, ID/Mt. View HS) earned a double-double for Willamette with 21 points and 11 rebounds. He also earned 5 steals and 3 assists. He was 11 for 16 at the line. Brendon McCullough (Fr., G, San Antonio, TX/Home Schooled) added 13 points for the Bearcats. Brown finished with 10 points, including nine in the final 7:12 of the game.

Other key contributors for the Bearcats were Bridger Harlington (Fr., Wing, Lake Tapps, WA/Auburn Riverside HS), Hayden Russell (So., G, Woodland, Ca/Da Vinci HS) and Kyle McNally (Sr., F, Salem, OR/Sprague HS).

Harlington scored nine points, while Russell achieved eight points, two assists and two steals. McNally earned six points, four rebounds and two blocked shots. He was 3 for 3 on field goals.

For Caltech, Emezie tallied a team-high 17 points on 6 of 9 field goals, including 2 for 2 on 3-pointers. Nasser Al-Rayes contributed 16 points and six rebounds, while hitting 6 of 8 field goals. Luke Lango scored 11 points and Bryan Joel chipped in 10 points.

The Beavers owned a 40-31 lead at halftime. Willamette reduced the margin to six points, 42-36, on a 3-pointer by McCullough with 18:14 on the clock. Caltech answered with an 8-3 run to take a 50-36 advantage following a layup by Emezie with 14:43 remaining. The teams each tacked on a basket before Willamette started its comeback.

Luedtke began the rally with a layup and free throw at the 13:47 mark, pulling WU within 52-41. Another basket by Luedtke plus a jumper by McCullough cut the Beaver's lead to 52-45 with 12:17 left.

Caltech extended the lead to 55-45, but the Bearcats answered with a 9-0 run. After recording three points, the Bearcats scored the next five points in nine seconds. McNally hit a jumper with 10:03 to go. A steal by Nico Troplent (Fr., Wing, Los Angeles, CA/Cathedral HS) led to a traditional three-point play by Russell with 9:54 remaining.

After Russell's basket and foul shot, the Bearcats trailed 55-53. Luedtke added a free throw with 9:16 left to complete the run.

The Beavers increased their lead to 60-54 with 7:37 left. WU pulled within a single point three times before taking the lead on Brown's jumper at the 2:32 mark.

Following a turnover by Caltech, McCullough scored on a jumper to give the Bearcats a 70-67 edge with 2:04 on the clock. Lango missed a 3-pointer for Caltech with 1:23 to go, and Harlington quickly added a layup for Willamette six seconds later. WU sank 7 of 10 free throws in the final minute to clinch the win.

The Bearcats led 6-4 just under three minutes into the game and were tied with the Beavers, 14-14, with 10:09 remaining in the first half. Caltech scored the next six points on 3-pointers by Lango and Emezie.

WU trailed 22-20 after Conin Oishi (Fr., G, Lake Forest Park, WA/Shorecrest HS) put in a 3-pointer with 6:28 left. Caltech also led by just two points, 24-22, following a jumper by Troplent. The Beavers ended the half with a 16-9 run.

Willamette shot just 29.6% from the field in the first half (8 of 27), but hit a sizzling 60.0% (15 of 25) over the final 20 minutes. WU converted 30 of 47 free throws (63.8%).

Both teams connected on 23 of 52 shots overall (44.2%). Caltech shot 54.2% in the first half (13 of 24) and 35.7% in the second half (10 of 28). The Beavers hit 6 of 16 three-pointers (37.5%) and were 21 of 29 at the free throw line (72.4%).

Caltech achieved a 35-32 edge on the glass, but committed 24 turnovers, compared to 13 turnovers by the Bearcats. WU earned 13 steals.

Willamette will play at cross-town rival Corban University on Tuesday, Nov. 25. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. (PST).